PSNI appeal after paramilitary attack

Police in Londonderry are appealing for information following a paramilitary style assault at Ballymagowan Avenue shortly after midnight on Sunday.

At approximately 12.03am it is believed that around five masked men entered a property at Ballymagowan Avenue, not far from the City Cemetery, armed with iron bars.

It is understood that a man in his 30s was assaulted and in the attack sustained injuries to his head and legs.

The man has been taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries, and police said that they are not believed to be life threatening.

It has also been revealed that police are also investigating criminal damage caused to the property were the attack happened. Just before 3am police received a report that wheelie bins had been put against the door and set alight causing considerable damage to the property.

Condemning the incidents and appealing for information to help identify those responsible for the attacks, Chief Inspector Tony Callaghan said: “Police work diligently to find evidence to bring those responsible before the courts. Paramilitary style attacks have a significant impact on the local communities and PSNI work alongside local communities in an effort to bring an end to this unacceptable violence.

“Those who are involved in paramilitary style attacks do not represent the interests of any community nor contribute anything to it.

“Communities have a choice, and it is clear that the vast majority of people here have chosen to support the police and support law and order.

“Those small groups of individuals who continue to try and terrorise people and commit criminal acts must be isolated from communities.

“I appeal to the community to give us the information we need to bring the persons responsible for these brutal attacks to contact police at Strand Road on the non-emergency number 101.

Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”